Bridges Bring Apps from Other Platforms to Windows 10

“Platform bridges” planned by Microsoft will speed conversion of classic Windows desktop applications and Web sites into Windows 10 Universal applications and simplify porting Android and iOS applications to Windows 10. For corporate developers, the bridges could improve deployment and reliability of existing Windows applications on Windows 10 and assist delivery of consumer-facing mobile applications for upcoming Windows 10 devices. For commercial developers, the bridges could make Windows 10 a more viable target platform, especially for existing Android and iOS applications. However, the bridge technologies are not yet available, and development work will typically be necessary to take advantage of them.

Desktop, Web, iOS, and Android Bridges

Four platform bridge technologies were announced at Microsoft’s Build conference in Apr. 2015. All aim to speed production of Windows 10 Universal applications (hereafter, Universal applications), formerly known as Windows Store, Modern, and Metro applications, for the Windows 10 client OS. (For a summary and comparison of the platform bridge technologies, see the chart “Windows 10 Platform Bridge Technologies“.)